Foundation wall for a structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a foundation wall for a structure and the process for producing such a wall.  
     The foundation wall is characterized by the fact that it contains a single course of hollow blocks ( 2 ), aligned by being joined adjacent to each other, and each consisting of a single part, the footing ( 3 ) of which is integral with the foundation ( 4 ) of the structure, and the top of which has, an essentially U-shape cross section for forming a frame ( 6 ) for receiving the horizontal anchoring.  
     The invention finds application in the construction field.

[0001] The present invention concerns a foundation wall for a structure, such as a residential dwelling, as well as the method for constructing this wall.

[0002] It also concerns a foundation block intended to produce a foundation wall.

[0003] Present-day foundation walls generally contain three superimposed courses of hollow blocks that girdle the construction, a first lower course of blocks anchored on a bed of cement mortar spread on the reinforced concrete foundation of the structure, a second intermediate course of blocks and a third upper course of blocks made to form a concrete frame that forms the horizontal anchoring around the entire structure.

[0004] The disadvantage of this type of foundation wall is the requirement not only of a large number of hollow blocks but also of three layers of cement mortar, one permitting anchoring of the lower course of hollow blocks to the foundation of the structure, and the two others permitting joining of the hollow blocks of the second course to those of the first course and the hollow blocks of the third course to those of the second course. In addition to the relatively low mechanical strength of this foundation wall, the production costs for manufacturers of hollow blocks are increased, with a reduction in profitability of building enterprises as a result.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of known foundation walls by proposing a foundation wall for a structure, such as a residential dwelling, characterized by the fact that it contains a single course of aligned hollow blocks arranged next to each other, each consisting of a single part, the footing of which is integral with the foundation of the structure, and the top of which has a transverse section essentially in the shape of a U, forming a receiving frame for the horizontal anchoring.

[0006] Preferably, each foundation block has the general form of a rectangular parallelepiped arranged vertically, so that the end faces respectively form the footing and top of the block and one of the vertical base faces of the block, intended to be joined to the base face of the adjacent block, contains a vertical groove the extends from the bottom of the frame to the footing to define a vertical shaft of rectangular cross section between two adjacent blocks, into which concrete for interlocking of the two blocks can be poured.

[0007] Advantageously, the outside base face of each block perpendicular to the face containing the groove contains, on each end, a vertical rabbet that can define with the vertical rabbet of the external base face of an adjacent block an external vertical groove that can be filled with cement mortar for joining of the two blocks.

[0008] The concrete for joining the two adjacent blocks is the concrete poured to fix the anchoring reinforcement in the frame on top of the adjacent joined blocks of the course.

[0009] The blocks of the foundation have their footings fixed to the reinforced concrete foundation of the structure by means of a bed of cement mortar.

[0010] The footing of each foundation block contains two parallel grooves, separated from each other by a vertical partition and extending in the direction of alignment of the blocks to favor anchoring of the block to the foundation of the structure.

[0011] Each foundation block also contains parallel internal lightening cavities that open to the base face opposite the one containing the vertical groove and extend toward the latter in the direction of alignment of the block.

[0012] The invention also concerns a process for building a foundation wall, as defined above, and characterized by the fact that it consists of forming a trench in the ground; producing a reinforced concrete foundation at the bottom of the trench; arranging a bed of cement mortar on the foundation; positioning a course of hollow blocks on the bed of cement mortar, arranged vertically so as to be joined, one next to the other, by their opposing vertical faces, some of which define vertical shafts of rectangular cross section between them, the blocks having their footings anchored in the bed of cement mortar; pouring concrete into the frame defined on top of the aligned hollow blocks to form the horizontal anchorage around the structure, the concrete being poured into the vertical shafts to solidify the adjacent hollow blocks and representing stiffening posts; and filling the vertical grooves formed between the outside faces of the hollow blocks with cement mortar to produce a smooth external appearance.

[0013] The method also consists of arranging an insulation plate, made of a material based on polystyrene, on the inside faces of the hollow blocks and with a height essentially equal to that of each hollow block; returning soil to each side of the foundation wall to a specified height; introducing a compact backfill above the ground, girdled by the foundation wall; and producing a reinforced concrete slab of the structure on the backfill, so that the slab is essentially flush with the upper surfaces of the polystyrene plate and the hollow blocks.

[0014] The invention also proposes a hollow block or terracotta block to produce, in particular, a foundation wall of a structure, such as a residential dwelling, and which is characterized by the fact that it is made in a single piece to simultaneously contain a footing for attachment to a support, such as the foundation of the structure, and an upper frame with a cross section essentially in the form of a U that can receive concrete for horizontal anchoring around the structure.

[0015] Preferably, the foundation block has the general form of a rectangular parallelepiped that can be arranged vertically and contains, on one of its base faces, a groove that extends from the bottom of the upper frame to the footing, whereas another of its base faces, perpendicular to the base face containing the groove, contains a rabbet parallel to the groove on each of its ends.

[0016] Advantageously, the footing of the foundation block has two parallel grooves, separated from each other by a partition and extending through the block parallel to the base face containing the two rabbets.

[0017] The foundation block also contains internal cavities of rectangular cross section that extend parallel to the base face containing the two rabbets, opening only on the base face of the block opposite the one containing the groove, and the cavities are separated from each other by a median wall parallel to this base face to define two columns of at least two courses of cavities that permit breaking of the block to reduce its height.

[0018] The invention will be better understood and other purposes, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the following explanatory description, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, illustrating a variant of the invention, and, in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a foundation wall of a structure according to the invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foundation block according to the invention;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a side view along arrow III of the foundation block of FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a side view along arrow IV of the foundation block of FIG. 3 and

[0023]FIG. 5 is a cross section along line V-V of FIG. 3.

[0024] Referring to the figures, reference 1 denotes a part of a foundation wall of a structure, such as a residential dwelling.

[0025] According to the invention, the foundation wall 1 has a single course of identical hollow blocks 2, aligned and joined next to each other, each block 2 being made of a single piece, in order to simultaneously contain a footing or seat 3 for anchoring of the block 2 on a reinforced concrete foundation 4 of the structure by means of a bed of cement mortar 5 spread on foundation 4, and an upper frame part 6, having, in cross section, essentially the form of a U, more precisely, in the present case, an isosceles trapezoid, so as to receive concrete for the horizontal anchoring surrounding the structure, as will be seen below.

[0026] As follows best from FIG. 2, each block 2 has the general form of a rectangular parallelepiped, arranged vertically to form the foundation wall, so that the end faces of this parallelepiped respectively form the footing 3 and upper frame 6 of block 2.

[0027] One of the vertical base faces 7 of block 2, intended to come in contact with the base face 7 of the adjacent block 2, contains a vertical groove 8 that extends from the bottom 6 a of frame 6 to the footing 3 to define, between two joined, adjacent blocks 2 through their faces 7, a vertical shaft with a rectangular cross section 9, into which concrete for making the two blocks 2 solid can be poured.

[0028] Moreover, the external base face 10 of each block 2, perpendicular to the base face 7 containing groove 8, contains, on each of its ends, a vertical rabbet 11 that can define, with the vertical rabbet 11 of the external base face 10 of an adjacent block 2, an external vertical groove 12 that can be filled with cement mortar for joining of these two blocks.

[0029] The footing 3 of each foundation block 2 contains, in the present case, two parallel grooves 13 that open to both sides of the blocks, separated from each other by a vertical partition 14 and extending in a direction parallel to the base face 10 of block 2. Because of this, the footing 3 of each block 2 contains three parallel anchoring feet, a central foot defined by the separation partition 14 and two lateral feet 15, extending the external base face 10 and the opposite internal base face 16, respectively. The feet 14, 15 facilitate engagement of footing 3 into the cement mortar fixation bed 5.

[0030] Each foundation block 2 also contains a certain number of parallel internal cavities of rectangular cross section 18 that open to the base face 17 of the block 2 opposite the base face 7 containing the vertical groove 8. The cavities 18, for example, six in number, arranged in two columns of three courses, extend parallel to the external 10 and internal 16 base faces, recessed relative to the base wall 8 a of the groove 8, i.e., the cavities 18 do not open opposite the base face 17 of block 2. It should be noted that the separation wall 14, in fact, represents the end of the extension of the vertical median wall 19 that separates the cavities 18.

[0031] The method for producing a foundation wall 1, already apparent from the preceding description, will now be explained.

[0032] First, a worker forms a trench surrounding the structure and arranges at the bottom of this trench reinforced concrete, which forms the foundation 4 of the structure.

[0033] After having spread the bed of cement mortar 5 on foundation 4 over a width greater than that of the foundation blocks 2, the worker vertically arranges hollow blocks 2 on the bed 5, so that they are joined next to each other in alternation with their base faces, opposite each other 7 and their base faces also facing each other 17, as clearly follows from FIG. 1. The blocks 2 are fixed in bed 5 by means of their anchoring feet 14, 15 anchored in it. The worker then arranges, at the bottom of the frame formed by the aligned parts of the frame 6 of blocks 2, a reinforcement 20 for horizontal anchoring that girdles the structure, and a sufficient amount of concrete 21 is poured into this frame, so as not only to fill the frame, but also to fill the vertical shafts 9, defined in alternation between two adjacent blocks 2, so as not only to make the two blocks solid, but also to form stiffening posts of concrete 22 that are visible in FIG. 1. The worker can then fill the vertical grooves 12, formed between the external faces 10, with cement mortar, situated in the same vertical plane as blocks 2, to produce a smooth external appearance, which will then favor application, for example, with a brush, of layers of water proof coatings. The worker then arranges a rectangular polystyrene plate 23 on the flat internal face of wall 1, opposite the external flat face formed by the base faces 10, the plate 23 having a height essentially equal to the height of the hollow blocks 2. The worker then returns the soil 24 to a specified height, so as to keep the plate 23 supported against the foundation wall 1, and then forms a compact backfill 25. The reinforced concrete slab 26 of the future dwelling is then made on this backfill 25, which is essentially flush with the upper parts of the plate 23 and blocks 2. Naturally, the rest of the trench is filled in with the ground supported on the external face of the foundation wall 1, consisting of the base faces 10 of the aligned blocks 2.

[0034] The foundation blocks according to the invention substantially reduce production costs among manufacturers relative to foundation blocks known thus far and consisting of at least two different types of blocks, which, for this reason, increases the profitability of construction companies for production of foundation walls. Moreover, a single layer of cement mortar is necessary to fix the foundation blocks, this being spread on the reinforced concrete foundation of the dwelling, which also increases the mechanical strength of the foundation wall of the dwelling or other various structures. This mechanical strength is also increased by the formation of stiffening concrete posts interposed between two adjacent foundation blocks. The presence of cavities 18 permits each foundation block to be lightened and for perforations to be easily made through it, i.e., transverse to the external base face for passage of different pipes of the future dwelling. In short, the invention simplifies and substantially facilitates the method of construction of foundation walls.

[0035] Various modifications can be made to the invention.

[0036] Thus, the blocks can be made of terracotta and be used as reinforcement blocks on the concrete floor of a dwelling that can receive the carpentry support. These blocks can also be used to produce a low wall.

[0037] The cavities also permit breaking the block to reduce its height, if necessary. Their number can vary. For example, it is possible to provide two columns of cavities along two courses. 

1. Foundation wall for a structure, such as a residential dwelling, characterized by the fact that it contains a single course of aligned hollow blocks (2) arranged adjacently each consisting of a single part, the footing (3) of which is integral with the foundation (5) of the structure, and the top of which has an essentially U-shaped cross section, forming a frame (6) for receiving the horizontal anchoring.
 2. Foundation wall according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each foundation block (2) has the general form of a rectangular parallelepiped, arranged vertically so that the end faces respectively form the footing (3) and the top of the block, and by the fact that one (7) of the vertical base faces of the block, intended to be joined in contact with the base face (7) of the adjacent face (2), contains a vertical groove (8) that extends from the bottom (6 a) of frame (6) to the footing (3), to define between two joined adjacent blocks (2) a vertical shaft of rectangular cross section (9), into which concrete (21) can be poured to join the two blocks together.
 3. Foundation wall according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the external base face (10) of each block (2), perpendicular to the face (7) contained in the groove (8), contains on each of its ends a vertical rabbet (11), which can define with the vertical rabbet (11) of the external base face (10) of an adjacent juxtaposed block (2) an external vertical groove (12) that can be filled with cement mortar for joining the two blocks.
 4. Foundation wall according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the solidification concrete (21) of the two adjacent blocks (2) is the concrete that is poured to fix the anchoring reinforcement (20) in the frame (6) on top of the blocks (2) joined adjacent to each other.
 5. Foundation wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the foundation blocks (2) have their footings (3) fixed to the reinforced concrete foundation (4) of the structure by means of a bed of cement mortar (5).
 6. Foundation wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the footing (3) of each foundation block (2) contains two parallel grooves (13), separated from each other by a vertical partition (14) and extending in the direction of alignment of the blocks (2) to promote anchoring of the block to the foundation (4) of the structure.
 7. Foundation wall according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized by the fact that each foundation block (2) contains parallel internal weight reduction cavities (18) that open to the base face (17) opposite the face (7) containing the vertical groove (8) and that extend toward the latter in the direction of alignment of blocks (2).
 8. Process for making a foundation wall, as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it consists of forming a trench in the ground; producing a reinforced concrete foundation (4) for it at the bottom of the trench; arranging a bed of cement mortar (5) on foundation (4); positioning a single course of hollow blocks (2) on the bed of cement mortar (5), arranged vertically so as to be joined, one next to the other, by their vertical faces (7), some of which define between them vertical shafts of rectangular cross section (9), blocks (2) having their footings (3) anchored in the bed of cement mortar (5); pouring concrete (21) into the frame (6) defined at the top of the aligned hollow blocks (2) that form the horizontal anchoring around the structure, the concrete (21) being poured into vertical shafts (9) to join the adjacent hollow blocks (2) together and representing stiffening posts (22); and filling the vertical grooves (12) formed between the external faces (10) of the hollow blocks (2) with cement mortar to produce an external surface with smooth appearance.
 9. Method according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that it also consists of arranging an insulation plate of material based on polystyrene (23) on the internal faces (16) of the hollow blocks (2), and with a height essentially equal to that of each hollow block; returning the soil (24) on each side of the foundation wall (1) to a specified height; producing a compact backfill (25) above the ground girdled by the foundation wall (1); and producing a reinforced concrete slab (26) of the structure on the backfill (25), so that the slab (26) is essentially flush with the upper surfaces of the polystyrene plate (23) and the hollow blocks (2).
 10. Hollow block or terracotta block to produce a foundation wall of a structure, such as a residential dwelling, characterized by the fact that it is made in a single piece to simultaneously contain a footing (3) for fixing to a support, such as the foundation (4) of the structure, and an upper frame (6) with a cross section essentially in the shape of a U that permits receiving of concrete (21) for the horizontal anchoring around the structure.
 11. Foundation block according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that it has the general form of a rectangular parallelepiped that can be arranged vertically, and that it contains, on one (7) of its base faces, a groove (8) extending from the bottom (6 a) of the upper frame (6) to the footing (3), whereas another (10) of its base faces, perpendicular to the base face (10) containing groove (8), contains, on each of its ends, a rabbet (11) parallel to groove (8).
 12. Foundation block according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that its footing (3) contains two parallel grooves (13), separated from each other by a partition (14) and extending through block (2) parallel to the base face (10) containing the two rabbets (11).
 13. Foundation block according to one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized by the fact that it contains internal cavities with a rectangular cross section (18) that extend parallel to the base face (10) containing the two rabbets (11), opening only to the base face (17) opposite the face (7) containing the groove (8), and by the fact that the cavities are separated from each other by a median wall (19) parallel to the base face (10) to define two columns of at least two courses of cavities (18) that permit breaking of the block to reduce its height. 